Evans appeal is on agenda

By Staff Writer

The Georgia High School Association executive committee meets this morning in Forsyth, Ga., to vote on a constitutional change that would alleviate the travel burden placed on Evans High School athletic teams.

When the association reclassified the state's schools prior to the 2000-01 school year, Evans was placed in Region 4-AAAAA and it is the only member school outside suburban Atlanta.

Columbia County School Superintendent Tommy Price presented a case to the GHSA in August, asking for an isolation rule that would allow Evans to drop one classification and play in a region closer to home.

Officials point out the excessive travel and expenses for Evans athletes to compete with the region members, particularly in sports other than football.

Evans wants to compete in Region 3-AAAA next school year, but there are no provisions for a school to compete in a lower classification.

"The concern I've heard is that the rule is too open-ended, and people are very wary of it," said Lee Chomskis, Evans athletic director and head football coach.

At the GHSA fall meeting on Oct. 1, the executive committee voted 39-6 to approve the isolation rule as a topic for further discussion.

"We cannot afford to lose any of those votes," Chomskis said. "I know folks have lobbied against us, and we have lobbied as well. This is not about competition. It's about these kids being on the road."

A two-thirds majority of the 50 committee members is needed for approval.